News and errands

Been running errands today, not much going on (thank goodness!).

Read the New York Times this morning, and came across an article and slide show:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/world/middleeast/22dubai.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/22/world/20080922DUBAI_index.html

Interesting stuff to read/see/think about.

An article in the Khaleej Times this morning, called Dubai a 'salad.'
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2008/September/theuae_September507.xml&section=theuae&col

Folks are not blending together (ie melting pot) but co-existing for a common purpose (at least where we live). The school my munchkins attend celebrate various 'holidays' during the school year: Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan, UAE Day, Spring (sorta Easter), Halloween/Fall (not scary stuff-just costumes and fun), Eid (both the end of Ramadan and after Hajj). Everybody kinda celebrates/observes everything. Obviously, the holidays from your home country are going to be 'closer to the heart', but I've even seen classrooms decorated for Chinese New Year. The 'religion' stays at home or in the mosque/temple/church. Tolerance is taught and shown by example. Yes, I do know of organizations or 'coffee groups' or whatever based on people's home countries. Do I have a close association with people from my home country, of course. But, I have buddies from more countries than I can think of at the moment. Truly, how awesome is that?

Peace.

Side note: Link to pics from Galveston, Texas that are probably not in the regular 'press' for those of you interested:
http://www.tamug.edu/ikecampusimages.htm